9015

John Paul Jones Naval Medal in Copper, from the Original dies, Choice Uncirculated.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,040.00 USD Estimated At:1,600.00 - 3,250.00 USD
John Paul Jones Naval Medal in Copper, from the Original dies, Choice Uncirculated.
Julian NA-1, Betts 568, 56 mm. Interesting rim cuds on both sides. Obv: bust of Jones facing right, after Houdon, a Latin legend surrounding. Rev: Jones' converted merchantman, the Bonhomme Richard, her side blasted open by an explosion in her magazine. Lying alongside is the crippled British frigate, Serapis. Struck from the original dies, as indicated by the presence of the engraver's name (Dupre) on the obverse truncation. The lack of any edge marking indicates that this piece was struck prior to 1841, meaning that this was one of the very earliest pieces made. This is an unusual case where the dies for an American medal remained in a foreign country (in the 1790's, America did not possess the technology or equipment to produce large, high relief medals). The Latin legend is translated as follows: "John Paul Jones...Commander of the Fleet...The American Congress" and "The Enemy Fleet Captured or Put to Flight...Off Scotland's Shore...23 September, 1779." Instead of paying John Paul Jones what was owed him, Congress gave him a version of this medal in gold! Very rare.